Working with SAG-AFTRA Members

The 48 Hour Film Project is proud to partner with the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists once again to allow filmmakers to use SAG-AFTRA members in their films.

Please Note:The SAG-AFTRA waiver applies only to competitions in the US.

When deciding whether to use SAG-AFTRA members in your film, please note that your distribution options will be more limited. For any use beyond the uses granted to the 48HFP, you will need to negotiate directly with SAG-AFTRA. For example, if you wish to submit your film to a festival, no negotiation is needed. If, however, you wish to put your film up on a third party website (e.g., YouTube, MySpace, etc.) you will be required to negotiate with SAG-AFTRA, and probably pay your actor a fee, for your film to be allowed on the site.

In order to work with a SAG-AFTRA member, you (the team leader) will need to sign the SAG-AFTRA Short Film Agreement, as modified by the 48HFP Rider. The Rider means that you do not need to furnish a script ahead of time (impossible in the 48 Hour Film Project, anyway), you do not need to pay a fee to SAG-AFTRA, and you may use volunteer actors.

SAG-AFTRA Checklist for Drop Off Event

The SAG-AFTRA Employment Contract for each SAG-AFTRA actor, signed by the actor and the team leader/producer (see below for information on filling out the Employment Contract)

The SAG-AFTRA Internet Use Rider for each SAG-AFTRA actor, if you would like to put your film on your personal website for resume purposes only. (Other internet uses will still require permission from SAG-AFTRA.)

All SAG-AFTRA paperwork in the SAG-AFTRA Envelope

Important Notes

To fill out the Employment Contract, the team leader should sign by "Producer" and then print their name by "By". The performer signs by "Performer" and writes their social security number below.

SAG-AFTRA permits the 48 Hour Film Project the following uses of films created under this agreement: to screen them theatrically, to include them on DVD compilations, to enter them in festivals and to show them on the 48 Hour Film Project website provided they are not downloadable.